Automatic strip uncoiler cradle



Oct. 26, 1954 M. H. ROWE 2,592,737

I AUTOMATIC STRIP UNCOILER CRADLE Filed Feb. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l 60 INVENTOR.

Mar/on H Rowe 52 76 w 3-+- a A TTORNE Y Oct. 26, 1954 M. H. ROWE 2,692,737

AUTOMATIC STRIP UNCOILER CRADLE Filed Feb. 15, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 INVENTOR.

Mar/on h. Ron e ATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1954 M. H. ROWE AUTOMATIC STRIP UNCOILER CRADLE 4 Sheet s-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 13, 1950 III III R. 2 mo VR m n .O H. G M

ATTORNEY Oct. 26, 1954 M. H; ROWE 2,692,737 AUTOMATIC STRIP UNCOILER CRADLE Filed Feb. 13, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 72 9/ J 85 yr 27 \E;I I64 is If 25 60 If! L 6/ 96 75 m m 99 I INVENTOR.

Mar/on hf Rome /7 M BY fog, 9 {4W WA A TTORNE'Y Patented Oct. 26, 1954 AUTOMATIC STRIP UNCOILER' CRADLE Marion H. Rowe, Dallas, Tex. Naunearle C. Rowe, executrix of said Marion E. Rowe, deceased, assignor to Rowe Machinery and Manufacturing Company, Inc., Dallas, Tex, a corporation of Texas Application February 13, 1950, Serial No. 143,857

14 Claims. 7 1

This invention relates to automatic strip uncoiler cradles, and more particularly to machines for uncoiling coiled metal strip stock for feeding such metal strip material to metal working machines such as punch pressesand the like. Long strips of metal stock are commonly wound into compact coils as the strip issues from the rolling mill or other processing equipment, to facilitate handling and shipping the strip stock.

Fabricators and other users of the coiled metal strip must provide their plants with apparatus to uncoil the strip which has been received in coiled form, and many plants have machines constructed and arranged for the automatic and continuous production of pressed or stamped steel products made from the strip metal as it is uncoiled and delivered to such machines. To permit a high rate of production by such machines, the uncoiler must necessarily deliver an unfailing supply of uniform strip, and the strip must be delivered in accordance with the demand of the machine in which it is used.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an automatic strip uncoiler cradle on which the coiled strip may be easily placed and held in position by gravity, and having drive means incorporated therein for rotating the coil to deliver uncoiled strip metal automatically in response to the demand for the strip.

An important object of the invention is to provide an automatic strip uncoiler cradle of the character described having automatic means governing the operation of the drive means in response to the size of the outer loop of material unwinding from the coil of strip metal; and wherein the outer free loop of the strip is maintained in proper size to insure adequate supply and accurate and efficient operation of the machine to which the strip is being fed.

A particular object of the invention is to provide in a coil cradle of the character described novel guide means operable to maintain the-coiled strip in proper position for delivering the-outer free loop in proper alignment With' the machine to which it is directed for use, said guide means maintaining the edges of the strip; in alignment as the coil is rotated whereby separation and spreading of the coils are obviated.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a coil cradle of the character describedv guide means of the character set forth which is adjustable to accommodate strips of different widths, and which will guide the coils without damaging the edges of the strip.

Another important object of the; invention is to provide, in a coil cradle of the character described, a pair of spaced upright coil supporting and guiding plates which are each independently adjustable laterally to provide for accurate transverse adjustment and positioning of the coil of strip stock supported by the cradle, without moving said cradle, so that coils of strip of different widths may be properly fed to the machine in which the strip is being used.

A particularly important object of the invention is to provide, in a coil cradle of the character described, an improved control mechanism actuated by the outer free loop of strip material as the same is uncoiled, to control the drive means for rotating the coil to uncoil the strip.

Another object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable apparatus for the purposes mentioned which is sensitive and accurate in action and adapted to safely handle light and flimsy strip stock as well as heavy grades of material.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a coil cradle of the character described which is so constructed and arranged that the coil may be readily positioned in the cradle for use without requiring hoisting machinery or the like.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will readily be apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly cut-away, of an automatic strip uncoiler cradle constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 1a is a fragmentary top plan view showing one side plate and the movable supporting plate and illustrating the angular disposition of the plates with respect to each other and the taper of the dimples therein,

Figure 2 is an enlarged front end view of the cradle,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the actuator control and switch which controls the uncoiling movement of the coil carried by the cradle,

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2 and showing a coil of metal strip supported on the cradle,

Figure '7 is an enlarged isometric view of the actuator lever mechanism provided for controlling the size of the outer free loop of strip delivered from the coil,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the strip uncoiler cradle,

Figure 9 is an enlarged front end view of the modified form of the cradle of Figure 8, and

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through the upper cross-feed screw mechanism for adjusting the positions of the movable supporting plates of the modified form of the cradle.

In the drawings, the letter C designates general- 1y a coil cradle adapted to be used for autoniatically uncoiling coiled metal strip stock for feeding said metal strip material to metal working machines such as punch presses and the like, The cradle includes a pair of spaced upright sideframe plates ill and i i, which are connected together and held in substantially parallel spaced relationship by an upper rear spacer bolt l2, a lower rear spacer bolt 13-, and a lower front spaced bolt [4. The upper front portions of the plates are cut away along a diagonal incline to provide access to a coil S of metal strip supported on the cradle. (See Figure 6.)

For supporting and driving the coil of metal strip S, the cradle is provided with a rear large drive and supporting roller I5 which extends transversely of the lower central portion of the side plates and has its ends suitably supported in bearings it carried by said side plates, and a front large drive and supporting roller it which extends transversely of the lower front portion of the side plates and which has its ends suitably supported in bearings 58 carried by the side plates. A pair of small auxiliary supporting and drive rollers 19 and it also extend transversely of the side plates in uniformly spaced relationship between the large drive rollers l5 and H, and are journaled at their ends in bearings 2i and 22 in the side plates. These small auxiliary rollers are positioned below the line of centers of the large drive rollers, and are so spaced that they act with the large drive rollers to support and drive small diameter coils of strip, and also serve to prevent large heavy coils from contacting the floor or the like in the space between the large drive rollers.

Each of the large drive rollers and i7 is provided with a drive sprocket gear 23 and 24,

. respectively, secured to said large drive rollers adjacent the end near the side plate l l, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, and an endless roller chain 25 connects said sprockets with each other and with a drive sprocket 25 mounted on a drive shaft 2? carried by the side plates near their rear edge. The drive shaft 2? is rotated by an electric motor as having a drive pulley 29 which is con neoted by an endless belt 3% with a driven pulley 3i mounted on the drive shaft. The small auxiliary rollers l9 and also each has a drive sprocket gear 32 and 33, respectively secured to such auxiliary rollers adjacent their ends near the side plate H and in a plane common with the sprockets 23 and 2d of the large drive rollers, so that the sprockets 32 and 33 will mesh with the chain and be driven by such chain simultaneously with the large drive rollers. Thus, the electric motor will turn the drive shaft 2! and the drive sprocket 26 mounted thereon, which acts through the endless chain 25 to drive both the large drive and supporting rollers l5 and l! and the small auxiliary rollers 19 and 28 to rotate the 4 coil of strip metal S, which is supported peripherally on the drive rollers as shown in Figure 6.

The size of the smaller gear sprockets 32 and $3 is so proportioned to the size of the large gear sprockets 23 and 24 that the peripheral speed of the respective rollers is substantially the same. However, for a purpose which will now be more fully explained, it is preferable that the diameters of the drive rollers be so proportioned that the eripheral speed of the rear auxiliary roller 19 is slightly greater than that of the rear large drive roller ii, the peripheral speed of the front auxiliary roller 20 is greater than that of the rear auxiliary roller I9, and the peripheral speed of the front large drive roller H is slightly greater than that of the front auxiliary roller 253. Thus, even though the various drive rollers are rotated by a common drive chain, the peripheral speeds of the rollers gradually increases from the rear large drive roller through and to the front large drive roller, whereby a constant pull is applied to the strip metal coil being supported and turned by the drive rollers. This prevents the strip from bulging or bending between the drive rollers, since it is constantly pulled at a greater rate of speed by each successive roller toward the front of the cradle. This over-driving of the successive drive rollers also maintains the coil in a tightly wound condition as it is turned in the cradle.

The electric motor has one side of its base plate 34- secured to a tilting plate 35 pivotally carried by the spacer bolt l3, whereby the motor may tilt or pivot about the spacer bolt to tighten or loosen the drive belt 3!! and to accommodate wear and adjustment in length of the drive belt.

For supporting and positioning the coil of metal strip within the cradle on the drive rollers, an upright laterally adjustable supporting plate 36 is movably positioned between the side frame plates it and i l. The adjustable supporting plate is mounted on an upper cross-feed screw 31, a lower rear cross-feed screw 38 and a lower front cross-feed screw 39, which extend through screwthreaded openings in the supporting plate. The cross-feed screws have their ends journaled in the side plates it and H and extend transversely between the plates so that as the screws are rotated the supporting plate 36 is moved laterally between the side plates. The upper crossfeed screw extends outwardly through the side plate H and is provided with a crank handle ll] by means of which said cross-feed screw may be rotated to cause corresponding rotation of the screw. The lower cross-feed screws 3? and 39 are caused to rotate simultaneously with the upper cross-feed screw by an endless chain ll which extends around a drive sprocket wheel 82 mounted on the upper cross-feed screw and corresponding sprocket wheels 43 and 44 mounted on the lower cross-feed screws 38 and 39, respectively, adjacent the side plate Il. Thus, when the crank M1 is turned to turn the upper cross-feed screw, the chain will cause corresponding movement of the lower cross-feed screws, and the supporting plate will be moved uniformly laterally between the side frame plates.

The rear edge of the supporting plate is cut away along a diagonal incline, as clearly shown in Figure 3, whereby the plate will clear the electric motor 28 and the drive shaft 27! at the rear of the cradle as said supporting plate is moved laterally. The front lower corner of the supporting plate is also cut away to clear the front large drive roller [1 and the front spacer bolt l4,

and holes are provided in the lower end of the aceazsv supporting plate to permit the plate'to travel freely longitudinally of the large rear drive roller; l5 and thetwosmalle-r auxiliary rollers l9 and 23.

The coil of metal strip S is supported on the drive rollers in an upright position betweenthe side plate H3 and the supporting plate 36', the supporting plate being adjustable by rotation of the cross-feed screws. into proper supporting position adjacent one side of the .coil. A loading ramp plate 15 is pivotally secured at one end to the front spacer bolt M adjacent the side plate [0, to provide an inclined ramp by means of which the coil of metal strip may be rolled into place on the drive rollers between the sup porting plate 36 and the side plate [10. Thus, the coil of strip may be loaded in the cradle without the use of a hoist or lifting mechanism.

In order that the coil of metal strip supported between the supporting plate 36 and the side frame plate it may be turned freely and with" out lateral separation or spreading of the indi-- vidual coils of strip, since the supporting plate and side frame plate do not rotate with the coil. the rear edge of the supporting plate is positioned slightly closer to the side frame it! than is the front edge of said supporting plate, as is clearly shown in Figure 10.. Thus, the rear portions of the plates will confine the sides of the rear portion of the coiled strip closely, so that the individual coils of the strip in the coil will be held against spreading and will be guided together before they pass over the drive rollers where the weight of the coil is supported. By thus eliminating lateral displacement or spreading of the individual coils, the edges of the strip are not damaged as the coil is rotated. Also, the greater space between the front portions of the plates permits the outer free loop of strip metal to leave the coil without binding, so that it may be properly fed from the cradle in alignment for use in the punch press or other machines.

Forfurther reducing the frictional drag of the rotating coil as it is rotated between the supporting plat and the side frame plate, the side frame plate I!) is provided with a horizontally disposed dimple line 50 which projects inwardly from the side plate toward the adjustable supporting plate, and the supporting plate is provided with an opposed dimple line 5! which projects from said supporting plate toward the side frame plate in parallel relationship with the dimple line 50 in said side frame plate. Each of the dimple lines also is tapered slightly toward the other from the front to the rear of the respective plates in which they are formed, so that the dimple lines are closer at the rear portions of the plates than they are at the front edges of such plates, as shown in Figure la. Therefore, the sides of the coiled strip will contact substantially only the rear portions of the dimple lines so and as the coil is rotated by the drive rollers, so that the frictional engagement of the coil with the side plates is reduced to that of the contact of the coil with the dimple lines. Furthermore, since the rear portions of the dimple lines are closer together than the front portions, it will be seen that such rear portions of the dimple lines will contact the edges of the individual coils at the rear portion of the coiled stripso that they will be guided into and maintained in alignment with the edges of adjacent coils to prevent spreading or lateral :displacement of theindividual coils when the,- strip. is rotated. This. is an important feature or the invention.

The angular or tapered relationship of the dimple lines, and the spacing of the supporting plate with respect to the side frameplate, is maintained for all positions of the supporting plate as it is moved between the side frame plates by the cross-feed screws, so that the results just described are obtained regardless of the position of the adjustablesupporting plate.

Control of the uncoiling operationis accomplished by controlling the operation of the electric motor 28 which drives the drive rollers for rotating the coil carried by the cradle. Activation of the motor is controlled by a lever mechanism L- and a switch mechanism M, the switch being operated by the lever mechanism which is moved in response to the size ofthe outer loop of strip material unwinding from the coil.

The lever mechanism is mounted on a pair of long supportingarms and 56 which have their upper ends pivoted on pins 51 and 58 secured to the upper portion of the side frame plates H3 and I I, as shown in Figures land 2. The elongate supporting arms extend downwardly along the outside of the side frame plates to a point adjacent the bottom spacer bolt l4, and have swingable pivot links 59 and 60, respectively, secured to their lower ends by stud bolts 6| and 62'. The heads of the stud bolts are adapted to engage the front edge of the side plates 10 and I! for limiting downward swinging movement of the elongate supporting arms and for positioning the swingable pivot 1'inks59 and 60 in position for supporting the lever mechanism in proper operative relationship with the coil of strip S carried by the cradle. The two pivot links. are connected by a spacer rod or bolt 63, so that such links will pivot in parallel relationship about the stud bolts El and 62 at the lower ends of the elongate supporting arms. The upper or outer ends of the pivot links carry a contact roller shaft 64, upon which is mounted the actuator lever mechanism L.

The lever mechanism comprises a pair of identical lever arms 65 and 66 which are pivotally mounted in their central portion on the contact roller shaft 6%, as clearly shown in Figure '7. The upper outer ends of the lever arms are connected by a cross bolt 68 which holds the lever arms in parallel spaced relationship and which is adapted to be engaged by the outer free loop it of the strip material from the coil. S. The lower ends of the lever arms are rounded and substantially semi-circular shape as indicated at 69, and. each of the lever arms is cut away at "E5 to permit the lower portions. of the arms to swing to a position parallel to the pivot links 59 and 66, so that the centers of the curved ends 69 of the lever arms are positioned. in axial alignment with the stud bolts GI and 62.

An elongate coil tension spring. has one end connected to an ear 86 carried. by the lever arm 55 below the contact roller 64,..and. at its other end it is connected to the side plate it at a point adjacent and slightly below the pivot pin 51. at the upper end of the elongate supporting arm This spring constantly exerts its force to bias the supporting arms and the pivot links carried thereby toward the position shown in Figure 1, wherein the heads of the stud bolts 6! and 62 are in engagement with the front edges of the side plates of the cradle. The spring also resiliently restrains the lever arms 65 and BB in the position shown in Figure 7, but permits the pivot links and the lever mechanism L to be swung outwardly as shown in Figure 6} to accommodate rolls or coils of larger diameter.

The rounded end 69 of the lever arm 66 is normally in contact with a follower roller lll mounted on the outer end of a switch actuating lever H forming a part of the switch mechanism M. The switch mechanism illustrated also includes a micro-switch l2 actuated by the lever H and which is electrically connected with a relay in a main switch 13 at the upper end of the side plate by means of conductor wires 14. Engagement of the rounded end of the lever arm with the switch lever roller holds the switch lever downwardly to maintain the micro-switch F2 in an open circuit-breaking position, and since the lever arm swings about the axis of the stud bolt 52 as a center, it will be seen that the rounded lower end of the lever arm will be maintained in contact with the roller to hold the switch open regardless of the position which the pivot link and the lever arm assume with respect to the side plate.

However, when the lever mechanism L is swung about the contact roller shaft 64, in the manner shown in Figure 5, to move the lower end of the lever arm 66 away from the switch lever roller, the switch lever arm ll may move outwardly to permit the contact points of the micro-switch l2 to be engaged to close the circuit operating the relay in the main switch mechanism 13 at the upper end of the side plate H for establishing an electrical circuit for energizing the electric motor 28. Electrical power is conducted to the switch 73 through conductor wires l6, and from the switch the conductor wires lead to the motor and to the micro-switch in the customary well-known manner.

It is believed manifest that other types of switches and switch arrangement may be used satisfactorily. For example, a micro-switch could be connected directly in the electrical supply line to the motor, thus eliminating the need for the relay operated switch H3, or, a mercury switch could be substituted for the micro-switch for directly controlling the motor.

When the cradle is being used for uncoiling metal strip from the coil S, the free outer loop is of the strip will be directed outwardly between the lever arms 65 and 6B, and the contact roller shaft 64 will engage the outer periphery of the coil between the loop and the coil. The free loop extends on outwardly and upwardly outside the cross bolt 58 at the upper end of the lever mechanism L and is then carried back inwardly above the coil to feed rolls I88 of a punch press or other machin with which the cradle is used.

Thus, as the feed rolls draw the strip of metal toward the punch press or other machine, the size of the tree outer loop '59 of strip metal is reduced as the loop is drawn toward the coil. Such movement of the free loop causes the strip to engage the cross bolt 68 to swing the lever arms 65 and 66 about the contact roller shaft (i l, and to swing the lower rounded end 59 of the lever arm 65 outwardly away from the roller on the switch lever ll. When the lever mechanism is so swung, the switch lever arm is free to be moved to permit th micro-switch E2 to close and cause operation of the main switch 13 for energizing the motor 28. The motor then drives th drive rollers l5, ll, l9, and 26), which turn the coil of strip metal S to feed an additional length off the coil and to increase the size of the outer free loop 19. When the free loop is increased in size sufficiently to permit the lever mechanism L to swing about the contact roller 64 until the lower rounded end 69 of the lever arm 66 again engages the roller and moves the switch lever H, the micro-switch is opened and the electrical circult to the motor is broken or opened. The motor then stops turning the drive rollers and the coil.

Thus, the strip of metal is fed in response to movement of the actuator lever mechanism L by th outer free loop of the strip metal from the coil.

The lever arms 55 and 66 of the lever mechanism L are formed with an obtuse angle between the contact roller shaft 64 and the cross bolt 68, so that there is always a space between said cross bolt and the outer periphery of the coil of strip S. Such space between the cross bolt and the coil permits the lever arms to be swung about the contact roller shaft when the size of the outer free loop of strip material is diminished to a predetermined degree. The angle at which the outer upper portions of the lever arms are bent is an average which will assure proper operation of the lever arms for coils of various diameters between the largest practical diameter and the smallest practical diameter.

The elongate supporting arms 55 and 56 may be swung upwardly about the pivot pins 5? and 58, as shown in Figure 3, to permit a roll or coil of strip material to be loaded in the cradle by rolling the same up the ramp plate t5. After the coil of strip material has been positioned in the cradle, the supporting arms may be returned to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 for positioning the lever mechanism in proper operative position with respect to the coil and the free outer loop of strip material.

A slightly modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 8 through 10, wherein the cradle C is provided with a pair of upright laterally adjustable guide and supporting plates and SI between the side frame plates it and H. The adjustable supporting plates are mounted on an upper cross-feed screw mechanism 82, a lower rear cross-feed screw mechanism t3, and a lower front cross-feed screw mechanism 34, which extend through screwthreaded openings in the supporting plates, in much the same manner as the form first described. However, each crossfeed screw mechanism of this modified form includes a pair of separate independently movable externally screwthreaded sleeves and 86 rotatably mounted upon an elongate supporting rod 81 and separated from each other by a spacer washer 88 secured to the rod 81 by means of a set screw 89. Each of the screwthreaded sleeves has its outer end portion reduced in diameter to form a thrust-bearing shoulder which abuts against the side plates ill and H to prevent longitudinal or axial movement of the sleeves. The reduced end portions of the sleeves are journaled in the side plates, as clearly shown in Figures 9 and 10, and extend transversely between the side plates so that as the sleeves are rotated the supporting plates 80 and 8! are moved laterally between the side plates. The outer ends of the screwthreaded sleeves 85 and 86 of the upper cross-feed screw mechanism 82 extend outwardly beyond the side plates it and l l, and crank handles 9! and 92, respectively, are secured to the projectin outer ends of the sleeves, as by rivets ea or the like, whereby the sleeves may be rotated by turning the respective crank handles.

The screwthreaded sleeves of the lower crossfeed screw mechanisms 83 and 84 corresponding to the sleeve 85 of the upper cross-feed screw mechanism are caused to rotate simultaneously with the upper sleeve 85 by an endless chain 94 which extends around a drive sprocket wheel 95 mounted on the upper cross-feed screw sleeve 85 and corresponding sprocket wheels 96 mounted on the lower cross-feed screw sleeves adjacent the side plate ll. Likewise, the screwthreaded sleeves on the lower cross-feed screw mechanisms 83 and 84 corresponding to the screwthreaded sleeve 86 of the upper cross-feed screw mechanisms are caused to rotate simultaneously with said upper sleeve 85 by an endless chain 91 which extends around a drive sprocket wheel 98 mounted on the upper cross-feed screw sleeve 86 and corresponding sprocket wheels 99 mounted on the corresponding screwthreaded sleeves of the lower cross-feed screw mechanisms adjacent the side plate In. Thus, when the crank 91 is turned to turn the upper screwthreaded sleeve 85, the chain 3 will cause corresponding movement of the corresponding sleeves of the lower cross-feed screw mechanisms, and the supporting plate 8| will he moved uniformly laterally between the side frame plate H and the spacer washers 6B of the cross-feed screw mechanisms. Similarly, when the crank 92 is turned to turn the upper sleeve 86, the chain 97 will cause corresponding movement of the corresponding sleeves of the lower cross-feed screw mechanisms, and the supporting plate 80 will be moved uniformly laterally between the side frame plate I0 and the spacer washers 88 of the cross-feed screw mechanisms.

It will thus be seen that each of the guiding and supporting plates 80 and 8| may be moved independently of the other so that coils of metal strip S of different widths may be supported on the drive rollers on the cradle in an upright position between the supporting plates, the supporting plates being adjustable into proper supporting position adjacent the edges of the coil supported therebetween to properly align the strip fed from the coil with the machine in which the strip is to be used.

The supporting plates 8!! and 8| are so mounted on the cross-feed screw mechanisms that the rear portions of the supporting platesare slightly closer together than are the front portions of said supporting plates. Thus, the rear portions of the supporting plates will confine the sides of the rear portion of the coil strip closely, so that the individual coils of the strip in the coil will be held against spreading and will be guided together before they pass over the drive rollers where the weight of the coil is supported.

For reducing the frictional drag of the rotating coil as it is rotated between the supporting plates 88 and 8!, the supporting plate 80 is provided with a horizontally disposed dimple ridge or line Hill which projects inwardly from said supporting plate toward the other supporting plate 8!, and the supporting plate 8| is likewise provided with an opposed dimple ridge or line I ill which projects from said supporting plate toward the first supporting plate 8!! in substantially parallel relationship with the dimple line H30. Each of the dimple lines is also tapered slightly inwardly toward the other from the front to the rear of the respective supporting plates in which they are formed, so that the dimple lines are slightly closer at the rear portions of the plates than they are at the front edges of such plate. Therefore, the sides of the coiled strip will contact substantially only the rear portions of the dimple lines as the coilis rotated by the drive rollers, so that the frictional engagement of the coil with the supporting plates is reducedto that of the contact of the coil with the dimple lines. Furthermore, since the rear portions of the dimple lines are closer together than the front portions, it will be seen that such rear portions of the dimple lines will contact the edges of the individual coils at the rear portion of the coil strip so that they will be guided into and maintained in alignment with the edges of adjacent coils to prevent spreading or lateral displacement of the individual coils when the strip is rotated.

The angular or tapered relationship of the dimple lines, and the spacing of the supporting plates with respect to each other, are maintained for all laterally adjusted positions of the supporting plates as they are moved between the side frame plates of the cradle, so that the results just described are obtained regardless of the positions of the adjustable supporting plates.

It will be seen that the independently adjustable supporting plates and SI provide for adjusting the position of the coil of strip stock on the drive rollers into proper alignment with the machine in which the strip is used without moving the cradle itself. Also, coils of strip of different widths may be supported in the cradle between the supporting plates 80 and BI in proper alignment with the machine without the necessity of moving the entire cradle, since the supporting plates may be each adjusted laterally between the sideplates of the cradle to permit proper aligning of the strip with the machine.

The loading ramp plate 45 may be positioned substantially centrally of the spacer bolt M, as clearly shown in Figures 8 and in this form of the invention, to permit rolling the coil of strip into place on the drive rollers between the supporting plates 80 and 8|. All other parts of the cradle are identical with and bear the same identifying numerals as those of the form first described, and function in the same manner as the form first described.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that an improved automatic strip uncoiler cradle has been provided, upon which the coiled strip may be easily positioned and held in place by gravity, and which has drive means incorporated therein for rotating the coils to deliver uncoiled strip metal automatically in response to the demand for the strip.

It will particularly be noted that the cradle of the invention is provided with novel guide means for maintaining the coiled strip in position for delivering the uncoiled strip in proper alignment to the machine in which the strip is to be used, and that such guide means maintains the edges of the individual coils of the strip in the coil tightly wound and in alignment with each other as the coil is rotated, whereby separation and spreading of the individual coils, and damage to such coils, is obviated. Also, the guide and supporting means may include a pair of independentlymovable upright supporting plates which may each be independently adjusted laterally to provide for accurate transverse adjustment and positioning of the coil of strip stock without moving the cradle, so that strips of different width may be properly aligned with and fed to the machine in which the strip is used. It will further be seen that the guide means is adjustable to accommodate strips of different widths, and that the cradle is adapted for use with coils of light and flimsy strip stock as well as heavy grades of material.

It is also believed to be readily apparent that an improved control mechanism has been provided in the cradle for controlling the drive mechanism by means of which the strip is uncoiled, and wherein the drive mechanism is actuated in response to the size of the outer free loop of material unwound from the coil.

It will also be seen that the strip is delivered from the coil without binding or otherwise being damaged, due to the angular relationship between the adjustable supporting plate and side frame plate, and the angular relationshi between the dimple lines provided in such plates. Likewise, the cradle has incorporated therein novel means for reducing the frictional engagement of the coil with the supporting plates as the coil is rotated in the cradle.

The foregoing description of th invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, a frame, a plurality of drive rollers carried by the frame and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material, a pair of spaced upright plates disposed transversely of the drive rollers for supporting the coil of strip material in an upright position therebetween on said rollers, said plates each having a, horizontally extending dimple ridge formed therein in a plane spaced above the drive rollers and projecting inwardly toward the other plate, said dimple ridges in the plates being tapered inwardly toward each other from front to rear so that the dimple ridges engage the edges of the coil of strip material supported between the plates more closely at the rear of the rollers than at the front of said rollers, and means for rotating the drive rollers to rotate the coil between the plates.

2. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, a frame, a plurality of drive rollers carried by the frame and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material, a pair of upright plates disposed transversely of the drive rollers for supporting the coil of strip material in an upright position therebetween on said drive rollers, said plates being disposed in vertical planes at a slight angle with respect to each other so that the plates are disposed nearer the edges of the coil of strip material immediately in advance of the point of contact of the coil with the drive rollers than after leaving said rollers, said plates each having a horizontally disposed dimple ridge formed therein and projecting inwardly toward the other plate, said dimple ridges being tapered inwardly toward each other one end to the other and being closer at the end formed in the closer portion of the plates, said dimple ridges being adapted to engage the edges of the coil of strip material to reduce the frictional engagement of the coil with the plates as the coil is rotated between said plates, and means for rotating the drive rollers to rotate the coil between the plates.

3. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, a frame, a plurality of drive rollers carried by the frame and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material, a pair of upright plates disposed transversely of th drive rollers for supporting the coil of strip material in an upright position therebetween on said drive ro l iii) said plates being disposed in vertical planes at'a slight angle with respect to each other so that the plates are disposed nearer the edges of the coil of strip material immediately in advanc of the point of contact of the coil with the drive rollers than after leaving said rollers, said plates each having a. horizontally disposed dimple ridge formed therein and projecting inwardly toward the other plate, said dimple ridges being tapered inwardly toward each other one end to the other and being closer at the end formed in the closer portion of the plates, said dimple ridges being adapted to engage the edges of the coil of strip material to reduce the frictional engagement of I the coil with the plates as the coil is rotated between said plates, means for moving one of the plates laterally toward and from the other plate while maintaining the aforesaid angular relationship, and meansfor rotating the drive rollers to rotate the coil between the plates.

4. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, a pair of spaced upright side frame members, a plurality of spaced drive rollers mounted transversely of the lower portion of the frame members and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material, an upright supporting mem ber movably mounted between the side frame members and adjustable laterally toward and away from one side frame member for supporting the coil of strip material in an upright position therebetween, a horizontal dimple ridge extending from front to rear of said one side frame member and projecting inwardly toward the adjustable supporting member, and an opposed horizontally disposed dimple ridge formed in the adjustable supporting member extending from front to rear of said member parallel to the dimple ridge in the side frame member, said dimple ridges being tapered inwardly toward each other from front to rear, whereby the rear portions of said dimple ridges engage the edges of the coil of strip material to reduce the frictional engagement of the coil with the side frame member and adjustable support member, and means for adjusting the position of the supporting member laterally between the frame members.

5. In a cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and having a motor and a switch mechanism for controlling said motor, an actuator mechanism for operating the switch mechanism and including, a contact member engageable against the periphcry of the coil of strip material, a lever arm piv-' otally connected with said contact member and having an abutment at one end normally engaging the switch mechanism to hold the same in open circuit position, and an engaging member carried by the other end of the lever arm spaced outwardly from the coil and engageable by a loop of the uncoiled strip to swing said lever arm to move the abutment from switch mechanism engaging position to permit the switch mechanism to move to closed circuit position.

6. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, a frame, a plurality of drive rollers carried by the frame and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material, a pair of upright plates carried by the frame and disposed transversely of the drive rollers for'supporting the coil of strip material in an upright position there-' between on said drive rollers, said plates being disposed in vertical planes at a slight angle with respect to each other so that the plates are disposed nearer the edges of the coil of strip material on one side of the rollers than onthe other side of said rollers, said plates each havinga horizontally disposed dimple ridge formed therein and projecting inwardly toward the other plate, said dimple ridges being tapered inwardly toward each other from one end to the other and being closer at the end formed in the closer portions of the plates, said dimple ridges being adapted to engage the edges of the coil of strip material to reduce the frictional engagement of the coil with the plates as the coil is rotated between said plates, means for moving each of said plates laterally toward and from the other plate while maintaining the aforesaid angular relationship, and means for rotating the drive rollers to rotate the coil between the plates.

7. A cradle of the character set forth in claim 6 and including, an electric motor for rotating the drive rollers, a switch mechanism for con.- trolling said motor, and an actuator mechanism for operating the switch mechanism and comprising a contact member mounted on said cradle engageable against the periphery of the coil of strip material, a lever arm pivotally connected with said contact member and having an abutment at one end normally engaging the switch mechanism to hold the same in open circuit position, and an engaging member carried by the other end of the lever arm spaced outwardly from the coil and engageable by a loop of coiled strip to swing said lever arm to move the abutment from switch mechanism engaging position to permit the switch mechanism to move to closed circuit position.

8. A cradle for sup-porting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, spaced upright side frame members, a plurality of spaced drive rollers mounted trans versely of the side frame members and adapted to support a coil of strip material, an upright supporting member movably mounted between the side frame members and adjustable laterally toward and away from one side frame member for supporting a coil of strip material in an upright position therebetween, means for moving said adjustable supporting member laterally between the frame members, an electric motor connected with the drive rollers for turning said drive rollers simultaneously to rotate the coil supported thereon, a switch mechanism for controlling actuation of said motor, an actuator mechanism for operating the switch mechanism mounted on said cradle and comprising a contact member engageable against the periphery of the coil of strip material, a lever arm pivotally connected with said contact member and having an abutment at one end normally engaging the switch mechanism to hold the same in open circuit position, an engaging member carried by the other end of the lever arm spaced outwardly from the coil and engageable by a loop of the uncoiled strip to swing the lever arm to move the abutment from switch mechanism engaging position to permit the switch mechanism to move to closed circuit position.

9. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, spaced upright side frame members, a plurality of spaced drive rollers mounted transversely of and at the lower portion of the side frame members and adapted to sup-port a coil of strip material, a pair of upright plates disposed transversely of the drive rollers between the side frame members for supporting the coil of strip material in an upright position therebetween on said rollers, said plates being disposed in vertical planes at a slight angle with respect to each other so that the plates engage the edges of the coil of strip material more closely immediately in advance of the point of contact of the coil with the drive rollers than said plates engage the coil after the coil leaves said rollers, said supporting plates each having a horizontally extending dimple ridge formed therein in a plane spaced above the drive rollers and projecting inwardly toward the other plate, said dimple ridges in the plates being tapered inwardly toward each other from one end to the other so that the dimple ridges engage the edges of the coil of strip material more closely at the ends formed in the closer portions of the plates, and means for rotating the drive rollers to rotate the coil between the supporting plates. 1

10. A cradle of the character set forth in claim 9 wherein, the means for rotating the drive rollers to rotate the coil between the plates includes, an electric motor and a switch mechanism for controlling said motor, and wherein an. actuator mechanism is mounted on the frame for operating the switch mechanism and includes, a contact member engageable against the periphery of the coil of strip material, a lever arm pivotally connected with said contact member and having an abutment at one end normally engaging the switch mechanism to hold the same in open circuit position, and an engaging member carried by the other end of the lever arm spaced outwardly from the coil on the side of the rollers on which the supporting plates are spaced farthest apart, said engaging member being en gageable by a loop of the uncoiled strip to swing said lever arm to move the abutment on the lever arm from switch mechanism engaging position to permit the switch mechanism to move to closed circuit position.

11. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including, spaced upright side frame members, a series of spaced drive rollers mounted transversely of the side frame members and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material, an upright supporting member movably mounted between the side frame members and adjustable laterally therebetween, a second upright supporting member movably mounted between one of the side frame members and the other upright supporting member and adjustable laterally toward and away from said first supporting member for supporting a coil of strip material in an upright position therebetween, means for moving each of the upright supporting members laterally independently of the other supporting member, an electric motor connecting with the drive rollers for turning said drive rollers simultaneously to rotate the coil supported thereon, a switch mechanism for controlling actuation of said motor, an actuator mechanism for operating the switch mechanism mounted on said cradle and comprising a contact member engageable against the periphery of the coil of strip material, a lever arm pivotally connected to said contact member and having an abutment at one end normally engaging the switch mechanism to hold the same in open circuit position, an engaging member carried by the other end of the lever arm spaced outwardly from the coil and engageable by a loop of the uncoiled strip to swing the lever arm to move the abutment from switch mechanism engaging position to permit the switch mechanism to move to closed circuit position.

12. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including; a frame; a plurality of drive rollers carried by the frame and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material thereon; and a plurality of upright plates disposed transversely of the rollers for supporting the coil in an upright position between said plates on said rollers; said plates having inwardly projecting means engaging the opposite sides of said coil to localize pressure at an area in advance of the point of contact of said coil with said rolls as said coil is rotated, thus reducing frictional engagement of the coil with said plates.

13. A cradle for supporting and rotating a coil of strip material for uncoiling said strip and including; a frame; a plurality of drive rollers carried by the frame and adapted to support and rotate a coil of strip material thereon; and a plurality of upright plates disposed transversely of the rollers for supporting the coil in an upright position between said plates on said rollers, said plates having inwardly directed linear projections disposed above the rollers and engaging the op posite sides of said coil to localize pressure at an 16 area in advance of the point of contact of said coil with said rollers as said coil is rotated, thus reducing frictional engagement of the coil with said plates.

14. The cradle of claim 13 wherein one of the plates is adjustable toward and from the other plate to accommodate coils of strip of different widths.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 20,000 Hofer June 9, 1936 2,012,118 Cameron Aug. 20, 1935 2,020,889 Hofer Nov. 12, 1935 2,058,243 Lippincott et a1 Oct. 20, 1936 2,097,142 Borton Oct. 26, 1937 2,207,663 Glasner July 9, 1940 2,267,161 Miller Dec. 23, 1941 2,267,962 Tishken Dec. 30, 1941 2,285,358 Rode et al June 2, 1942 2,323,477 Littell July 6, 1943 2,485,961 Duby Oct. 25, 1949 2,523,571 Humm Sept. 26, 1950 2,547,399

Leveridge Apr. 3, 1951 

